About the book:
In a nutshell: It's an intimate illustrated interview exploring a designer's winding path through feminism, activism, and how friendship shapes creative practice.
Here's the full description if you want to dive deeper:
Briar Levit's design journey is as rich and unexpected as a forest hike. From the bustling offices of Bitch magazine to historic trails in Kent and the best Goodwills of Portland, her practice weaves through teaching, writing, editing, archiving, and documentary making.
This illustrated interview traces her winding path across a changing feminist landscape, shedding light on how design and activism intertwine, the micropolitics of work, and the value of friendship.
It's an intimate conversation about how unplanned routes often lead to the most meaningful destinations.
About Briar Levit:
Briar Levit is a Professor of Graphic Design at Portland State University and director of the feature-length documentary Graphic Means: A History of Graphic Design Production, which traces design production from manual to digital methods.
Her work centers on aspects of design history often left out of the canon. She collaborates on The People's Graphic Design Archive and recently edited Baseline Shift: Untold Stories of Women in Graphic Design History for Princeton Architectural Press.
About Nina Paim (Interviewer):
Nina Paim is a Brazilian designer, curator, editor, and organizer based in Europe. After studying economics and philosophy, she pursued graphic design at Esdi in Rio de Janeiro and the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam.
Her practice focuses on design education, feminist publishing, and collaborative projects. She was guest curator of the 26th Brno Design Biennial, where she conceived the exhibition Taking a Line for a Walk on design education. She co-founded Porto's first feminist festival of publishing and design, Etcéteras, and runs Bikini Books, a publisher dedicated to feminist publishing.
Nina has taught across Europe and the Americas and edited two design anthologies. Her work thrives on collaboration and bringing people together across borders.
It's FoF Portugal design book club with a twist
Bookish exists because traditional book clubs can feel intimidating.
The pressure to finish, the fear of not having "smart" things to say, the guilt when life gets busy - we're removing all of that.
What we believe:
Learning shouldn't feel like homework Community matters more than completion Questions are more valuable than perfect answers Design books are better when discussed together Everyone has something to contribute Progress > Perfection
What to expect:
A casual monthly gathering Discussion about a design book Sometimes the author joins us Space for questions and curiosity Connection with fellow designers Zero judgment, maximum learning
What NOT to expect:
A quiz Mandatory reading Formal presentations Judgment for not finishing Corporate vibes Homework
FAQ
Do I have to read the book? Nope. But you're welcome to if you want.
What if I only read half? Perfect. Come tell us about that half.
Can I just listen without talking? Absolutely. We love our lurkers.
Do I need to turn my camera on? Only if you want to. No pressure.
What if I have a "dumb" question? There are no dumb questions here. Ask away.
Is this only for experienced designers? Nope. Curious minds at any level are welcome.
What should I bring? Your curiosity and your favorite beverage.
How long are the sessions? Usually 60-90 minutes, but you can leave whenever you need to.
Will it be recorded? No, now on just the sessions with the presence of the author will be recorded.
Can I suggest books for future sessions? Yes please! Drop your suggestions in the comments on our social media, Slack Community or DM us.
Buildium
Product Designer | FoF Porto - Leader
Freelance
Mastermind of Media Magic | FoF Coimbra Leader
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